Abstract: When a first elapse time ?t3 from time point t1 of stop of a transport motor reaches a first specified time S1, a registration roller electromagnetic clutch is engaged. At time point t2 at which the first elapse time ?t3 reaches 50 ms, normal rotation of the transport motor is started. At time point t3 at which a second elapse time ?t4 from the time point t2 reaches a second specified time S2 (a given length of time), a reverse roller electromagnetic clutch is switched from an engaged state to a disengaged state, rendering reverse rollers and sheet discharge rollers freely rotatable. At subsequent time point t4, a coil of a solenoid is de-energized, to separate the reverse rollers from each other.

Abstract: A recording medium feeding device includes a first rotating member picking up a recording medium, a second rotating member transporting the picked-up recording medium, a driving gear unit rotating and transmitting a driving force, a first transmission mechanism having a first gear and transmitting the driving force in a first rotation direction to the first rotating member and the second rotating member, a second transmission mechanism having a second gear and transmitting the driving force in a second rotation direction to the first rotating member, and a transmission adjusting portion transmitting the driving force of either one of the first or second gear to either one of the first or second transmission mechanism, wherein the first gear rotates in the first rotation direction, the second gear rotates in the second rotation direction, and the driving gear unit engages with both the first and second gear within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus has a sheet conveying path, a first pair of rollers, which is positioned in the conveying path and which has a drive roller and a pinch roller and conveys the sheet, a second pair of rollers, which is positioned downstream relative to the first pair of rollers in the conveying direction and conveys the sheet conveyed by the first pair of rollers, and a mechanism which reduces the force for sandwiching the sheet by the drive roller and the pinch roller of the first pair of rollers or which moves both away from each other. After the sheet is conveyed by the first pair of rollers while the leading edge of the sheet is being stopped by the second pair of rollers, the second pair of rollers starts conveying the sheet, and the mechanism is actuated thereafter.

Abstract: A clutch transmission mechanism of a printing device includes a power input shaft, a power input gear, a gear-shifting arm, a first gear-shifting module and a second gear-shifting module. In the cooperation of these components and modules, the printing device can be operated in a first gear-shifting mode or a second first gear-shifting mode. When the printing device can be operated in a first gear-shifting mode or a second first gear-shifting mode, the clutch transmission mechanism coaxially transmits the driving force. As such, the stability of transmitting the driving force is enhanced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance device to convey a sheet, an image forming device disposed opposing the conveyance device, a switchback device downstream from the conveyance device to switch hack the sheet after image formation a first face of the sheet on an opposing surface of the conveyance device, a refeeding device to refeed the sheet switched back, a reverse path to guide the sheet to a non-opposing, surface of the conveyance device, reverse the sheet, and guide the sheet to the opposing surface again, a single driving source to drive the conveyance device and the switchback device, a driving assembly to transmit driving force of the driving source to the conveyance device, a clutch assembly disposed at a position other than the driving assembly to switch rotation of the switchback device between forward rotation and reverse rotation, and an activation device to activate the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A supply roller for sending a piece of sheet from pieces of sheets stacked within a cassette towards a sheet guide and a pair of feed-in rollers for sending the piece of sheet supplied from the sheet guide towards a printing region are provided within a printer. The pair of feed-in rollers has a feed-in drive roller driven by a motor and a feed-in driven roller driven by the feed-in drive roller. A sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers is faster than a sending speed of the supply roller, and a sending force of the pair of feed-in rollers is stronger than a sending force of the supply roller. A controller of the printer controls the rotation of the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers according to a procedure that does not rely on a position of the sheet sent by the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers during the continuous feeding mode.

Abstract: A mechanism enables efficiently reducing the size of a check feeding device for separating and feeding checks one at a time. In one embodiment, a check separating and feeding mechanism uses a single drive motor to drive a feed roller, pressure member, and separation roller. When the drive motor turns in a second direction, torque is transferred through a second one-way clutch mechanism to both rollers. When the drive motor turns in this direction, the first one-way clutch mechanism disengages the drive motor from the drive power transfer path to the pressure member, and a tension spring pulls the pressure member in the direction pressing the checks to the feed roller. When the drive motor turns in an opposite first direction, the torque of the drive motor returns the pressure member to the standby position, drive power is not transferred to the rollers, and the rollers do not turn.

Abstract: A paper feeding module including a first shaft, a first ring-shape structure, a paper picking roller and a paper feeding roller is provided. The first shaft has a first stopping block. The first ring-shape structure rotatably covers the first shaft and has a second stopping block and a third stopping block, wherein the first shaft drives the first ring-shape structure to rotate while the second stopping block is pushed by the first stopping block. The paper picking roller rotatably covers the first shaft and is located on the paper feeding path, and has a fourth stopping block, wherein the first ring-shape structure drives the paper picking roller to rotate while the fourth stopping block is pushed by the third stopping block. The paper feeding roller is disposed on the paper feeding path.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism, an image forming apparatus employing the same and a paper feeding method thereof are disclosed. In an image forming apparatus capable of performing the printing operations at a particular printing operation that calls for a particular corresponding reference paper feeding speed, a reduction in the paper feeding noise may be achieved by providing a pickup roller operable at pickup/feeding speed that is slower than the reference feeding speed called for by the particular printing speed and a registration roller operable at the reference feeding speed. In addition, the pickup period at which the pickup roller picks up successive sheets of paper may be shortened to account for the slower operating speed of the pickup roller.

Abstract: A printer comprising a media stopper element held in position by a rotatable shaft. The shaft comprises a lever which can be moved in order to rotate the shaft and move the media stopper element out of the way.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes an accommodating unit, a conveying roller, a driving member, and a clutch mechanism. The accommodating tray has a sheet accommodating unit. The conveying roller is for conveying a sheet. The driving member supplies a drive force to the conveying roller. The clutch mechanism includes a link that moves in mechanical conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the accommodating tray and a movable member that moves in association with the movement of the link. The clutch mechanism selectively connects and disconnects a drive force transmitting path by the movement of the movable member. The clutch mechanism disconnects the drive force transmitting path when the accommodating tray is detached, and the clutch mechanism connects the drive force transmitting path when the accommodating tray is attached.

Abstract: In a recording medium conveyer, a driver drives a feeding member and a conveying member provided downstream from the feeding member in a recording medium conveyance direction independently. A controller stops driving the feeding member when a first time period elapses after a recording medium reaches the conveying member. When a selector judges that the thickness of the recording medium identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller does not drive the feeding member after the controller starts driving the conveying member, and when the selector judges that the recording medium has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recording medium that identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller restarts driving the feeding member no later than when the controller starts driving the conveying member.

Abstract: A drive switching mechanism includes a transmission gear and a planetary gear configured to transmit a drive from an input gear to an output gear. The drive switching mechanism further includes a swinging member configured to hold the planetary gear such that the planetary gear can swing around the input gear, a retaining unit configured to retain the swinging member in a swing enabled or disabled state, and a releasing unit configured to disengage the planetary gear from the output gear and cause them to be spaced apart. The output gear includes a toothless part that does not engage with a gear section engaging with the transmission gear.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism mounted to a shell includes a pickup mechanism, a transporting mechanism, a separation mechanism and a one-way clutch mechanism. The pickup mechanism includes a pickup motor having a rotating roller, a pickup roller and a pickup wheel. The transporting mechanism includes a transporting motor, a transporting roller, a transporting wheel and a transporting gear. The separation mechanism includes a separation roller, a separation gear and a separation wheel. The one-way clutch mechanism includes a one-way axle, a wiggling arm, a restoration elastic element fastened between the wiggling arm and the shell, and a releasing gear. The one-way axle passes through one end of the wiggling arm. The rotating roller of the pickup motor passes through the one-way axle. The releasing gear mounted to the other end of the wiggling arm is engaged with the transporting gear and the separation gear.

Abstract: The control unit 60 controls driving units 45b, 45c and 45d in such a manner that, when the detecting unit 36b detects at least the one paper sheet P2, the detected paper sheet P2 and the bundled of paper sheet P1 escrowed in the loop portion are merged to each other, and that the merged paper sheets P1 and P2 are escrowed in the loop portion. At this time, the control unit 60 controls the drive units 45b, 45c and 45d such that, after the detected paper sheet P2 and the escrowed bundle of paper sheet P1 have been merged or partly merged to each other, the merged or partly-merged paper sheets P1 and P2 are accelerated in at least the loop portion.

Abstract: A recording medium feeding device includes a first rotating member picking up a recording medium, a second rotating member transporting the picked-up recording medium, a driving gear unit rotating and transmitting a driving force, a first transmission mechanism having a first gear and transmitting the driving force in a first rotation direction to the first rotating member and the second rotating member, a second transmission mechanism having a second gear and transmitting the driving force in a second rotation direction to the first rotating member, and a transmission adjusting portion transmitting the driving force of either one of the first or second gear to either one of the first or second transmission mechanism, wherein the first gear rotates in the first rotation direction, the second gear rotates in the second rotation direction, and the driving gear unit engages with both the first and second gear within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a document processor that routes at least one document from an input hopper, along a document path and to an output bin is disclosed. The document processor includes a flag movably-arranged within the input hopper to/from a closed orientation and an open orientation; a rod fixed to and extending from the flag, wherein the rod includes an outer surface; a cam member including a camming surface, wherein the camming surface is communicatively-coupled to the outer surface of the rod; a driven shaft connected to the cam member, wherein the cam member further includes a one-way clutch, wherein the driven shaft extends through the one-way clutch; and a feed motor connected to the driven shaft. A method for operating the sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, a tray on which the sheet is placed, a first roller configured to feed the sheet placed on the tray, a first guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the first roller to the recording unit, a second guide member configured to guide the sheet passed through the recording unit, a second roller configured to feed the sheet guided by the second guide member, a third guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the second roller to the recording unit, a common roller configured to transmit a rotation force to the first roller and the second roller, and a second-roller arm including the second roller at a distal end thereof and configured to be pivotable about an axis.

Abstract: The present invention provide a sheet conveying device comprising a driving source which freely rotates in a forward/reverse direction, a separation roller shaft configured to drive a separation roller to separate and feed each sheet to be conveyed in accordance with forward/reverse rotation of the driving source, a stopper unit configured to close a conveyance path of stacked sheets on an upstream side of the separation roller in a conveyance direction, a stopper opening/closing member configured to open/close the stopper unit in a vertical direction, and a transfer unit provided between the stopper opening/closing member and the separation roller shaft and configured to transfer a rotating force to the stopper opening/closing member in accordance with a drive of the separation roller shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeding device capable of prolonging the durability life span of the retard roller with a simple structure with ease and an image forming apparatus which includes the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device includes a feed roller 102 which rotates in a sheet feed direction, a retard roller 103 which is able to rotate in a reverse direction to the sheet feed direction which forms a separation nip portion. A torque limiter 202 which is interposed between a drive shaft 202b and a roller shaft 103b of the retard roller 103 to transfer a predetermined torque of the reverse direction to the retard roller 103; and a speed changing device 301 which is interposed between an output shaft 202a of the torque limiter 202 and the roller shaft 103b to change a magnitude of the predetermined torque transferred to the retard roller 103.

Abstract: A media advance system includes a media input holder; a pick assembly for moving sheets of media from the media input holder, the pick assembly includes a pick roller including an axle and a face, the face including an arc-shaped groove; and a gear including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side including a projection that extends into the arc-shaped groove in the face of the pick roller; and an intermediate roller for receiving a sheet of media from the pick roller and advancing the sheet further along a media advance path.

Abstract: Card transfer system in which a card is transferred may include transfer roller which touches and transfers the card, and rotary shaft on which transfer roller is fixed, and rotating member rotatably supported on rotary shaft, and drive mechanism coupled to rotating member to rotate rotating member, and clutch mechanism which interrupts the power transmission between rotary shaft and rotating member. Rotating member is rotatably supported on rotary shaft by antifriction bearings. Rotary shaft is rotatably supported by multiple bearings and, at the same time, at least bearing arranged closest to rotating member is a plain bearing or sliding bearing.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for transmitting a drive force to drive a processing apparatus which carries out a prescribed process. The drive mechanism includes an output portion, an electromagnetic clutch and a case. An output portion for outputting the drive force, an electromagnetic clutch for controlling transmission of the drive force to the output portion, and a case including a first storage section which defines a first storage room to store the output portion, and a second storage section which defines a second storage room to store the electromagnetic clutch. Additionally, the second storage section includes a peripheral wall which surround the electromagnetic clutch, and a supporting wall which supports the electromagnetic clutch. The peripheral wall includes an upper wall above the electromagnetic clutch and a lower wall below the electromagnetic clutch. An opening section is formed in the upper wall.

Abstract: A sheet supply device that is addable to a medium processing device includes a strage part storing a medium and a controller. The controller performs a first operation in which the medium is supplied from the storage part of the sheet supply device, and a second operation in which another medium supplied from an upstream side of a medium path is carried to a downstream side. When the second operation is performed, the controller operates the carrying part by transmitting a drive force to the carrying part via the transmission mechanism without operating the carrying transmission member.

Abstract: A rotation-body controlling apparatus including: a first motor configured to rotate a first rotation body; a second motor configured to rotate a second rotation body; a first rotation amount detecting portion configured to detect a rotation amount of the first rotation body rotated in synchronization with the first motor; a second rotation amount detecting portion configured to detect a rotation amount of a second rotation shaft rotated in synchronization with the second rotation body; a transmitting mechanism configured such that a rotation of the first rotation body is transmittable to the second rotation shaft; and an origin-position detecting portion configured to detect an origin position of a rotation phase of the first rotation body on the basis of a phase of the first rotation body at a time when the second rotation amount detecting portion has detected a rotation of the second rotation shaft, where the rotation of the first rotation body operated by the first motor is transmitted to the second rotati

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an upper paper feeding frame that is pivotally rotated in linkage with a paper feeding tray pivotally rotatably installed to a body of the apparatus, resulting in a size reduction of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a conveying portion that conveys a sheet; and an abutment member against which an end of the sheet in a conveying direction abuts, the sheet being conveyed by the conveying portion. Herein, the abutment member is movable so as to change a distance between the abutment member and the conveying portion adjacent to the abutment member based on sheet information about the stiffness of a sheet, when an end of the sheet in the conveying direction is abutted against the abutment member.

Abstract: The drive arrangement of a currency validator includes a drive roller release mechanism that provides release of the rollers from a drive shaft. This release allows a banknote to be forcibly withdrawn without damaging a drive train or the drive roller. The drive roller is supported on and rotatable about a drive shaft. The drive shaft includes an intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft and in engagement with the drive roller. A spring bias urges the drive roller to engage and rotate with rotation of the shaft and the intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft. When necessary the drive roller can rotate relative to the shaft by overcoming the spring bias.

Abstract: A method of feeding media in an inkjet printer including moving a media stopper element for selectively allowing a sheet of media to advance along a media advance path in a media advance direction. A shaft is connected to the media stopper element for moving the media stopper element by rotating the shaft. The media stopper element can be moved via biasing to a first position for preventing the sheet of media from advancing and to a second position for allowing the sheet of media to advance along the media advance path.

Abstract: A printer comprising a media stopper element held in position by a rotatable shaft. The shaft comprises a lever which can be moved in order to rotate the shaft and move the media stopper element out of the way.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system comprising a media input support and a pivotable pick arm assembly including a pick roller. The assembly is biased to pivot toward the media input support. A rotatable arm is linked to the pivotable pick arm assembly and includes a ramped feature. The printing system further includes a carriage that includes a sloped feature that is in line with the ramped feature of the rotatable arm. When the sloped feature of the carriage is engages with the ramped feature of the rotatable arm the pick arm assembly is pivoted in a direction away from the media input support.

Abstract: A method of automatically pivoting a pick arm assembly away from a media support in a printer by providing a printhead carriage with a sloped feature and providing a linking assembly coupled to the pick arm assembly with a ramped feature wherein pivoting the pick arm assembly away from the media support occurs when the printhead carriage travels along the carriage scan path.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a sheet feed roller provided at a position of the upstream side of an aligning roller along the sheet conveying direction, a clutch to transmit and cut off the driving force from a driving source to rotate the feed roller, a rotary shaft connected to the clutch in the rotatable state, a torque limiter provided on the rotary shaft, and an inertial member provided to the rotary shaft via the torque limiter.

Abstract: Provided is a medium processing apparatus, which comprises a transfer roller unit and a guide roller unit. The transfer roller unit comprises a first rotation shaft and one or more transfer rollers coupled to the first rotation shaft. The guide roller unit receives power from the transfer roller unit, and comprises a second rotation shaft, a one-way clutch connected to the second rotation shaft, and a guide roller connected to the one-way clutch.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus that can highly accurately position and convey, even if an inter-sheet distance of sheets to be conveyed is reduced, the sheets from registration rollers to a transfer position when a toner image on an image bearing member moving at process speed is transferred onto the sheet in the transfer position. A sheet fed from a paper feeding cassette by a pulse-motor driven paper feeding roller is conveyed to pulse-motor driven registration rollers by pulse-motor driven conveying rollers. When the sheet is conveyed to the transfer position according to restart of the registration rollers, the sheet is conveyed by the registration rollers at sheet conveying speed different from the process speed before the leading end of the sheet reaches the transfer position and is conveyed at the process speed after that.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device of an automatic document feeder is provided. The sheet pick-up device includes a two-way clutch transmission mechanism, a sheet pick-up arm, a stopper and a linking assembly. When the two-way clutch transmission mechanism is operated to have the sheet pick-up arm move to a standby position, the stopper is moved with the linking assembly to be in a stopping position. Whereas, when the two-way clutch transmission mechanism is operated to have the sheet pick-up arm move to a sheet pick-up position, the stopper is in a non-stopping position. The sheet pick-up device has enhanced operating stability.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus and an automatic sheet feeding method are provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a first sheet input tray, a first sheet pick-up roller assembly, a sheet ejecting tray, a sheet transfer channel, a plurality of transfer roller assemblies, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a sheet-feeding sensor and a clutch module. Once a first sheet article of multiple sheet articles placed on the first sheet input tray are fed into the internal portion of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus to trigger the sheet-feeding sensor, the clutch module is disabled. At this moment, a second sheet article placed on the first sheet input tray fails to be fed by the first sheet pick-up roller assembly. Therefore, the double feeding problem is solved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet conveying device includes a paper feeding roller, a separating roller, a double-feed detection section, a double-feed determining section, a torque limiter, a driving section, and a driving force-input control section. The paper feeding roller conveys a sheet. The separating roller separates sheets doubly fed to a nip between the separating roller and the paper feeding roller. The double-feed detection section detects conveyance state of the sheets to the nip and outputs a detection signal. The double-feed determining section determines, on the basis of the detection signal, whether sheets conveyed to the nip are doubly fed. If only one sheet is conveyed to the nip, the torque limiter allows the separating roller to be driven to rotate following the paper feeding roller. The driving section inputs driving force to the separating roller via the torque limiter.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes an accommodating unit, a conveying roller, a driving member, and a clutch mechanism. The accommodating tray has a sheet accommodating unit. The conveying roller is for conveying a sheet. The driving member supplies a drive force to the conveying roller. The clutch mechanism includes a link that moves in mechanical conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the accommodating tray and a movable member that moves in association with the movement of the link. The clutch mechanism selectively connects and disconnects a drive force transmitting path by the movement of the movable member. The clutch mechanism disconnects the drive force transmitting path when the accommodating tray is detached, and the clutch mechanism connects the drive force transmitting path when the accommodating tray is attached.

Abstract: Disclosed are a paper feed device and an image formation apparatus using the same. The device comprises a drive transmission unit disposed on one end of a rotation shaft, including a clutch gear, a control unit, and a spring; a control unit stopper fixedly disposed on the control unit; and an electromagnetic absorber including a detent. When the detent is located at a brake-off position, the detent and the control unit stopper are separated. When the detent is located at a braking position, the detent makes contact with the control unit stopper, and stops the rotation of the control unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a switchable transmission mechanism disposed between a pickup roller and a driving source, and switches the driving source between a first state for rotating in the forward direction to rotate the pickup roller, and a second state for not rotating the pickup roller, the forward direction is opposite to a direction in which the driving source is rotated to rotate a feeder roller in a sheet feed direction. The sheet feeding apparatus also includes a control portion rotating the driving source in the forward direction to rotate the pickup roller in a sheet supply direction, and switches the switchable transmission mechanism between the first state, when a sheet is supplied from a sheet holding portion, and the second state, when the sheet is fed by the feeder roller.

Abstract: A transport-object transporting device includes a power-transmission blocking mechanism that blocks the transmission of power at an intermediate point of the cam driving gear train so as to maintain the discharge roller in the release position. The power-transmission blocking mechanism includes an engaged portion provided in the rocking arm, and an engaging portion whose engagement position thereof relative to the engaged portion is changeable by changing a rocking direction of the rocking arm. When the engaging portion is set at a predetermined engagement position relative to the engaged portion, the first planetary gear and the second planetary gear are both kept away from the cam driving gear.

Abstract: A transported material transporting device including: a power transmission switching mechanism configured to switch the transmission of the power between the intermediate gear and the cam drive gear between a transmitted state and a blocked state; a detection lever provided in the reversing path and configured to detect the presence or absence of the material to be transported which enters the reversing path; and a blocked-state locking mechanism configured to lock the blocked state of the power transmission switching mechanism when the discharging roller is in the released state, wherein the locked state of the blocked-state locking mechanism is released and the power transmission switching mechanism is switched from the blocked state to the transmitted state upon detection of the position of the trailing end of the material to be transported entering the reversing path by the detection lever.

Abstract: In a recording medium conveyer, a driver drives a feeding member and a conveying member provided downstream from the feeding member in a recording medium conveyance direction independently. A controller stops driving the feeding member when a first time period elapses after a recording medium reaches the conveying member. When a selector judges that the thickness of the recording medium identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller does not drive the feeding member after the controller starts driving the conveying member, and when the selector judges that the recording medium has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recording medium that identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller restarts driving the feeding member no later than when the controller starts driving the conveying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an external gear to which a rotating force of a resist gear is transmitted, a ratchet for transmitting a rotating force from the external gear to a paper feed roller or releasing the transmission, and a ratchet arm having a claw engaged with the ratchet to transmit a rotation of the external gear, thereby rotating the paper feed roller, and a claw engaged with a slit provided on a boss of the paper feed roller to turn the paper feed roller toward a rotation start position and removing the claw from the ratchet to stop the paper feed roller, and the boss is provided with an offset bottom peripheral surface to be moved with the claw entering to stop the rotation of the paper feed roller when a resist sensor detects a tip of a recording paper.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus and an automatic sheet feeding method are provided. The sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a first sheet input tray, a first sheet pick-up roller assembly, a sheet ejecting tray, a sheet transfer channel, a plurality of transfer roller assemblies, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a sheet-feeding sensor and a clutch module. Once a first sheet article of multiple sheet articles placed on the first sheet input tray are fed into the internal portion of the sheet-feeding type scanning apparatus to trigger the sheet-feeding sensor, the clutch module is disabled. At this moment, a second sheet article placed on the first sheet input tray fails to be fed by the first sheet pick-up roller assembly. Therefore, the double feeding problem is solved.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a feed unit that feeds sheets from a predetermined position; a conveying unit that conveys the sheets fed by the feed unit toward an image forming position at which images are to be formed on the respective sheets; and a registration unit that is provided at an upstream of the image forming position and positions the sheets by being bumped with the sheets conveyed by the conveying unit, wherein the feed unit and the registration unit are configured to operate so that a first timing at which a precedent sheet is bumped to the registration unit and a second timing at which a subsequent sheet is fed by the feed unit matches when a plurality of sheets are consecutively fed by the feed unit.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet handling machine comprising: a drive source; a first driven shaft arranged to receive drive from the drive source at least when the drive source drives in a first direction of rotation; a feed roller shaft; a feed roller mounted on the feed roller shaft for feeding sheets when the feed roller shaft is driven; and a rotatably supported drive transmission for selectively engaging drive transmission from the first driven shaft to the feed roller shaft in dependence upon the rotational position of the drive transmission. A mailpiece creation apparatus is also provided, illustrating one application of such a machine, as well as associated methods for sheet handling and mailpiece creation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding roller configured to rotate responsive to drive force received from a motor to convey a recording medium via a manual feed input, and a clutch device configured to be switched between first and second modes in which the motor drive force is transmitted to the feeding roller and prevented from being transmitted to the feeding roller, respectively. The apparatus includes a sensor disposed between the manual feed input and the feeding roller for detecting the recording medium, and a control unit configured to maintain the clutch device in the first mode while controlling the motor to drive the feeding roller to feed the recording medium while the sensor detects that the recording medium is fed through the manual feed input.

Abstract: A sheet material feeding device comprises a sheet material housing part housing a sheet bundle having a plurality of sheet being stacked; a conveying-out unit press-contacting onto the front edge side of the upper surface of the sheet bundle to exert a push-out force, feeding a sheet by the push-out force in a predetermined conveying-out direction, and separating the sheet from the sheet bundle; a feeding unit arranged on the downstream side of the sheet material housing part along the conveying-out direction and continuing the feeding of the sheet, and after the conveying-out unit moves away from the rear edge of a preceding sheet, the conveying-out unit conveys a following sheet in a state that the following sheet is overlapped at the lower side of the preceding sheet until the front edge of the following sheet reaches a predetermined guide position set between the sheet bundle and the feeding unit.